Marbled Whites where in abundance this morning with over fifty counted. Meadow Browns, Gate Keepers and the odd Speckled Wood and a range of Skippers were seen. Only one Six Spot Burnet moth was observed today.
The vegetation was long in the Wildlife Garden due to the absence of our Bird Ringers (whom focus upon spring and autumn migrations) hence having not cut their rides. Four square metre of Rest Harrow formed a carpet between pond and meadow. Pyramidal Orchids, Ox Eye Daisy, Agrimony, Self-Heal all provided nectar sources for insects. Our pond had algae cover and limited insect activity, however, at least it showed no signs of conversion to bog!
Small wavelets decorated the sea with a small cluster of ten Guillemots rafted off the gully mouth. However, others were seen travelling back and forth “up” the coastline beyond Anvil Point. Upon the cliff top margin a Rock Pipit made a brief appearance, whilst a Shag was seen travelling the cliff line.
Beside the Small Copse wall repair it took some time to discover that it was a young male Great Tit in conversation and hiding in the Blackthorn. As I left Lighthouse Green I could hear some tapping which I suspected might have been a Song Thrush breaking a snail shell upon an Anvil. Likewise a Green Woodpecker, Chiff Chaff and Skylarks were only heard. A Whinchat was noted in the scrub above the gully rock outcrop. A pair of Carrion Crows occupied the upper mile marker whilst at most only half a dozen Jackdaw were observed together today! A Kestrel travelled across the gully inland from the ridge without event.
Above the quarr I found a small patch of Bastard Toadflax with its distinct flower, which resembled a gramophone speaker or perhaps a fairy hat!